Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3 - Kontrol Version Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)There's not much I can say that isn't already covered by professional testimonials, video reviews, and product demos.
In short, Guitar Rig 3 is an extremely versatile, powerful effects system. The hardware is extremely solid-- I've carried this thing around to live gigs, stuffed it in a backpack as carry-on for a plane ride, even spilled a little bit of beer on it (not recommended). The worst I've done is dinged it with a falling mic stand. It put a small scratch on it (similar to scratching the paint on a car door), but that's about it.
There's definitely a slight learning curve for the software itself, but you can download the demo from their website to see if it's too much for you to handle. All the help and tooltips are plenty to keep you moving along-- and spending more time playing music and less time twiddling knobs. However, the cool part is that if you like twiddling knobs and settings, you can spend countless hours dialing in all kinds of vintage, modern, or never-heard-before sounds. My friend, (a lead guitarist who owns an analog guitar pedal company), despite being a bit of a sound purist, was really impressed with the sheer number of tones I can emulate. Sometimes, the sounds have a tendency to be a little bit 'digital' sounding if you don't adjust them properly, but the software upgrade to Guitar Rig 4 supposedly improves some of this. (I haven't tried it yet myself). My solution was to add an analog pedal (Philosopher's Tone) to the front of my effects chain.
I use an Intel-based Macbook Pro and a Peavy KB3 amplifier.
PRO TIP: a keyboard amp is the way to go since they have a higher frequency range that allows you to get the full range of tones out of the software. If you go with a specific guitar amp, you may severely limit the variety of tones the software can produce. The software itself effectively mimics all kinds of vintage amps--more than most people could ever afford to own. This may seem unintuitive, but if you spend a little time on the Guitar Rig forums, you'll find this out from others' experience too.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3 - Kontrol Version

GUITAR RIG 3 is the ultimate all-in-one guitar and bass solution. Simply connect your guitar with your computer via the enhanced Rig Kontrol 3 foot pedal and you are ready to go. The on-board studio-quality soundcard routes the signal to your speakers, while the software grants you access to an incredible number of perfectly modeled classic amps, cabinets, mics and effects - all arranged in a super-simple drag-and-drop rack format. Any style, any time - the perfect solution for professional studio and live setups.

Get 32% OFF

Click here for more information about Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3 - Kontrol Version

Read More...

Fender Accesories 099-4056-000 EQ Effects Pedal Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you think you are getting a great deal on a vintage-style two button footswitch, you're not. The switch for sale in this listing is the second one pictured (i.e. the boxy black thing for newer Fender amps).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Fender Accesories 099-4056-000 EQ Effects Pedal

Fender& offers a wide selection of footswitches designed to work with many vintage and new fender amplifiers. please see sku descriptions to ensure proper ordering for your particular amplifier.

Get 11% OFF

Click here for more information about Fender Accesories 099-4056-000 EQ Effects Pedal

Read More...

Fender FM 212 DSP 100W 2x12 Guitar Combo Amp Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Agree with Larry generally, and particularly the excessively-small fonts for the amp and effects selection. I sold my 212R and bought this 212DSP recently. I'm aiming for clean twangy modern country sound with single-coil guitars, and this does what I want. It takes a bit of getting used to to get the best from it, particularly setting up the two channels so that something useful is acheived by switching between them. The built-in effects are ~ok~ cheaper than buying a whole array of pedals I suppose, and giving a choice of sounds without being too gimmicky. However, in a gig situation, you could spend too much time fiddling with settings trying to get it right. It will take some time before I'll use this intuitively.
Dislikes: There is only one input jack in this, the 212R had two. I used to leave a back-up guitar plugged in to my 212R with its volume down, can't do that with the DSP. The knobs pull off the pots too easily, showing that the pots have plastic shafts - not the greatest sign of quality materials. Spare knobs can be found on the 'bay in packs of six. The tiny print is a real pain on the amp and effect selectors, and they also have unmarked in-between click positions where you have to guess what is happening it seems.
Likes - Sound is clear and punchy. there is some hiss and buzz on some settings, but not noticeable when a lively band is playing. Plenty of clean power available, this amp will get your solos and lead lines heard. Overall, I like it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Fender FM 212 DSP 100W 2x12 Guitar Combo Amp

Fender was one of the world's first manufacturers of truly great guitar and bass amplifiers. Originally their amps were simple tube-driven units that became classics. Now FENDER® utilizes modern DSP technology to create amps that are just as simple, yet packed with amp models and effects. The FM 212 DSP is just such a model.

Click here for more information about Fender FM 212 DSP 100W 2x12 Guitar Combo Amp

Read More...

Fender G-DEC 3.0 Thirty Electric Guitar Amplifier Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Love It,. have spent considerable time this weekend with some of the included backing tracks,. A Lot of Lick Building Fun. Sounds Fantastic for a solid state amp. I was debating on spending a bit more for a killer tube amp ,. but liked all the options and diversity of this gdec3. So far, I am very happy and not dissapointed by my choice. The software (Fender Fuse) is pretty cool but will definitely need some improvement,. like drag and drop new presets and songs as backing tracks. Otherwise very cool. Would be perfect if it had a simple recording feature., like say 4 tracks.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Fender G-DEC 3.0 Thirty Electric Guitar Amplifier

The G-DEC 3 Thirty is an amazing, great-sounding new amp for practicing and recording. Packed with features, it includes digital amp and effects models for every playing style, 100 presets—many created by the world\'s top artists and session aces, and a huge collection of music to practice and play over. Includes Fender FUSE\' software—your key to creating, connecting and configuring your G-DEC 3.Create your own arsenal of guitar tones, then experience the G-DEC 3\'s fantastic play-along capabilities. Many of its dozens of backing tracks were recorded by the world\'s finest players—from L.A. to London and Nashville to New York; from rock to blues to Latin to metal; from top studio musicians to famous rock stars.The 30-watt G-DEC 3 Thirty also boasts onboard mp3 and wav file storage and playback; stereo line outputs; a multi-function SD card slot for unlimited storage of presets and audio content; Ableton Live Lite 8 Fender Edition studio-quality recording software for creating and editing additional backing track content; and AmpliTube Fender LE software for practicing, playing and recording with classic Fender tones on your computer.

Get 27% OFF

Click here for more information about Fender G-DEC 3.0 Thirty Electric Guitar Amplifier

Read More...

Fender Mustang II Electric Guitar Amplifier Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I can't say enough about how impressed I am with this amplifier. Fender has really packed a load of usable features into an affordable, excellent sounding package. I've had the amp for two weeks now and am still exploring all of its capabilities, but it's one of the most exciting guitar products to come my way in years.
First of all, the different amp presets sound absolutely killer and the included FUSE software allows for easy editing and you can store an unlimited number of presets on your computer. There are many amp models and effects to choose from and the FUSE interface is so simple even an old school knob twirler like myself can handle it. Using the computer, you can replace the factory presets on the amp with your own, making it a truly custom amplifier.
Secondly, I was really impressed with the sound I can get from the amplifier. I have always preferred tube to solid state and this is the first modeling amp I've really been impressed with. It just sounds fantastic, with real differences between the various amp models you can choose from. It's been a real treat to be able to explore the different models, such as the Bassman, the Deluxe, Princeton, Twin, and other Fender and non-Fender amplifiers. The 12" speaker sounds great and the forty watts provides plenty of power, at least for my purposes.
Lastly, Fender has outdone themselves with the options they include. The amp features an input for your audio/MP3 player-great for those of us who like to practice along with music, a headphone output that doubles as a speaker emulator for recording, and a USB connection for connecting to the FUSE software and recording software. Fender has also included free recording software (Ableton) and their Amplitube software (as seen on the most recent iPad commercial). And you get all of this for two hundred bones. Well done, Fender!
If you're interested in this amplifier, do yourself a favor and check out the demo video on Fender's website. It's a really nice overview of the features and they also have sound samples of some of the presets you can listen to. The amp sounds just as good in person.
(The Mustang I is a 20 watt amp with an 8" speaker, but has all of the same goodies as the II if you don't need the power and want to save a hundred bucks.)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Fender Mustang II Electric Guitar Amplifier

Mustang II is a 40-watt closed-back combo with a 12" Special Design speaker that sounds great and pumps serious volume. It contains 24 highly accurate on-board amp presets with tones from vintage Fender sparkle to outrageous modern metal distortion, and a bank of 24 built-in effects including chorus, flanging, phasing, tremolo, vibratone, step filter, reverb, echo, octaver and more — 12 modulation effects and 12 delay and reverb effects in all. It\'s great for practice and jam sessions, and an 1/8" headphone jack lets you play loud, even if only for yourself. Further, connect Mustang II to your computer with free Fender FUSE software. Open up a world of possibilities, including on-screen parameter control, deep editing, additional effects, unlimited preset storage, online preset swapping with the Fender FUSE community, and free Fender artist presets. An optional single-button footswitch controls two quick-access presets. Mustang II packs it all into a striking visual design with sleek and modern Fender styling that provides a look that\'s as desirable as the sound.
HIGH-SPEED
Mustang\' I and II contain 24 highly accurate on-board amp presets with tones from vintage Fender sparkle to outrageous modern metal distortion. Arranged in three banks of 8, all 24 amp presets are easily and instantly accessed right out of the box with only a twist of a single knob. Plug in and you\'re up and running.

AMPED-UP
Shape your tone with a huge bank of 24 built-in effects including chorus, flanging, phasing, tremolo, vibratone, step filter, reverb, echo, octaver and more — 12 modulation effects and 12 delay and reverb effects in all. Mustang\' amps pack it all into a striking visual design. Sleek and modern Fender styling provides a look that\'s as desirable as the sound.

Get 26% OFF

Click here for more information about Fender Mustang II Electric Guitar Amplifier

Read More...